Thousands take part in Israel’s largest anti-Netanyahu protests since Gaza war began

Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in central Jerusalem on Sunday in the largest anti-government protests since the country’s war in October. Protesters are urging the government to reach a ceasefire, release dozens of hostages held by Hamas militants in Gaza, and hold early elections.

On October 7, Hamas killed approximately 1,200 people and took another 250 hostage in a cross-border attack, triggering widespread solidarity in Israeli society. Nearly six months of conflict have reignited divisions over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership, although the country remains largely supportive of the war.

Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas and bring all the hostages home, but those goals have been elusive. Hamas, despite heavy losses, remains intact.

During a week-long ceasefire in November, about half of the hostages in Gaza were released. But efforts by international mediators to bring the remaining hostages home failed. Negotiations resumed on Sunday with no sign of an imminent breakthrough.

Families of the hostages believe time is running out and have become increasingly vocal about their dissatisfaction with Netanyahu.

“We believe that none of the hostages will come back with this government because they are busy inserting a stick into the hostage negotiations,” said Boaz Atzili, whose cousin Aviv Atzili Aviv Atlizi and his wife Liat were kidnapped on October 7. Liat was released, but Aviv was killed and his body is in Gaza. “Netanyahu is only working for his personal benefit.”

Protesters have a lot of grievances

Protesters blame Netanyahu for the Oct. 7 failure and say deep political divisions over his attempt to enact judicial reforms last year weakened Israel before the attack. Some accuse him of damaging relations with Israel’s most important ally, the United States.

Netanyahu also faces a litany of corruption charges that are slowly making their way through the courts, and critics say his decisions appear to be focused on political survival rather than national interests. Opinion polls show Netanyahu and his coalition would be far behind their opponents if elections were held today.

Unless his ruling coalition collapses sooner, Netanyahu will not face elections until spring 2026.

Many families of the hostages have refrained from publicly condemning Netanyahu to avoid angering the leadership and making the hostages’ plight a political issue. But as their anger intensifies, some now want to change course – and they played a major role in Sunday’s anti-government protests.

Crowds gathered in several blocks around the Capitol on Sunday, and organizers vowed to continue demonstrations for several days. They urged the government to hold new elections nearly two years early. Thousands of people also demonstrated in Tel Aviv on Sunday, where large protests took place the night before.

Netanyahu made a nationally televised address late Sunday before undergoing hernia surgery, saying he understood the family’s pain. But he said holding new elections on the eve of victory would paralyze Israel for six to eight months and delay hostage negotiations. For now, Netanyahu’s governing coalition appears to remain intact.

Some hostage families agree now is not the time for elections.

Sheli Shem Tov, whose son Omer was kidnapped at a music festival, told Israel’s Channel 12: “I don’t think changing the prime minister now will push and help my son return. Home.” would only sideline the most pressing issue, which is getting the hostages home. “

In his speech on Sunday, Netanyahu also reiterated his vow to launch a ground military offensive against the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than half of the region’s 2.3 million people are now taking refuge after fleeing fighting elsewhere. “There is no victory without getting into Rafa,” he said, adding that U.S. pressure would not stop him. The Israeli military says the Hamas camp remains there.

A group of reservists and retired military officers demonstrated in an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood, drawing yet another reminder of Israel’s divisions.

For generations, ultra-Orthodox men have been exempted from military service, which is mandatory for most Jewish men and women. Dissatisfaction with this deepened during the war. Netanyahu’s government has been ordered to come up with a new plan by Monday for a fairer draft law.

Netanyahu, who relies heavily on support from ultra-Orthodox parties, asked for an extension last week.

The Bank of Israel said in its annual report on Sunday that there could be economic losses if large numbers of ultra-Orthodox men continue not to serve in the Israeli military.

Israeli airstrikes hit hospital tent camp

Also on Sunday, Israeli airstrikes hit a tent camp in the courtyard of a crowded hospital in central Gaza, killing two Palestinians and wounding 15 others, including journalists working nearby.

Associated Press journalists filmed the strike and its aftermath at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, where thousands of people have taken refuge. The Israeli military said the attack hit a command center of the Islamic Jihad militant group.

Tens of thousands of people have sought refuge in Gaza’s hospitals, believing they are relatively safe from airstrikes. Israel accuses Hamas and other militants of operating in and around medical facilities, but Gaza health officials deny this.

Israeli forces have been attacking Gaza’s largest Shifa hospital for nearly two weeks and say they have killed dozens of militants, including senior Hamas figures. Gaza’s health ministry said more than 100 patients were still without drinking water and had festering wounds, while doctors used plastic bags as gloves.

Not far from Gaza City’s Shifa Hospital, dozens of members of Gaza’s Palestinian Christian community gathered to celebrate Easter at the Holy Family Church, where incense wafted from the rare building untouched by the war.

“We come here with sadness,” said attendee Winnie Tarazi. About 600 people took shelter in the courtyard.

Death toll in Gaza approaches 33,000, hunger worsens

The United Nations and partners have warned of the risk of famine in the devastated and largely isolated northern Gaza. Humanitarian officials say supplies arriving by sea and air are not enough and Israel must allow more aid to be delivered by road. Egypt said thousands of trucks were waiting.

Israel says it has no restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian aid. It blames the United Nations and other international agencies for failing to distribute more aid.

Gaza’s health ministry said on Sunday that at least 32,782 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. The ministry’s tally does not distinguish between civilians and militants but said women and children accounted for about two-thirds of those killed.

Israel said more than a third of the dead were militants but provided no evidence and blamed Hamas for civilian casualties because the group operates in residential areas.

Lebanese state media reported that an Israeli drone hit a car in the southern Lebanese town of Konin amid fears of wider conflict in the region.

Hezbollah militant Ismail Zain has been killed, a Lebanese security official told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity in compliance with regulations. The Israeli military described Zain as an “important commander.” Hezbollah confirmed the death.

A Palestinian attacker stabbed three people in southern Israel late Sunday, seriously injuring three people, the Hazara relief agency said. Police said the attacker was shot but gave no further details about his condition.